The Associated Students of the University of Oregon is a student run government that allocates student money and represents the student body at UO. The student-government, since its inception, has held some form of control of the Incidental Fee — a mandatory fee that students pay. The Incidental Fee pays for student organizations, contracts and student services. Today, students spend $233.75 per term on the incidental fee.
The Executive Cabinet of ASUO consists of the Student Body President, their Internal and External Vice Presidents, and a Cabinet of 24 appointees. The current ASUO President, Quinn Haaga has been in the position since Spring term where she campaigned under I’m with UO.
“The ASUO is the student body government led by students for students,” Haaga said. “We have a budget of about $16 million and one of our biggest responsibilities is allocating that to various student-run organizations, contracts and various services for students.
Listen to the Emerald podcast with Connor Kwiecien and Miguel Sanchez-Rutledge about the ASUO below.
The Legislative Branch, which is the ASUO Senate, handles allocations of funds and policy making. It consists of 23 elected Senators from every academic major. The Senate handles the Incidental Fee and how it is distributed to UO student-organizations. The Senateis the public facing division of ASUO and they hold weekly public meetings where they discuss policy and financial issues.
The Judicial Branch, also known as the Constitutional Court, is the division of ASUO that reviews and retains all knowledge of ASUO law. According to the ASUO website, the Judicial Branch mainly works in the background and focuses on making sure the rest of ASUO upholds the laws set forth.
“This review power covers almost any action by ASUO government bodies, programs, and in special cases such as elections, actions by individual students within programs,” According to the ASUO website. “The Court has broad powers to impose sanctions in order to compel compliance with its rulings. Court appointees serve as long as they remain students at the University of Oregon.”
Vickie Gimm, a senator in ASUO, has been involved with the Multicultural Center since her freshman year, and has worked with ASUO as the MCC coordinator prior to her appointment to senate. She described how important it is for students to care about what ASUO is doing.
“The incidental fee is important because we are responsible for so many services and because this is the only way students can maintain our autonomy because this is the only resource we have as students that is actually going to go directly to benefit students.”
ASUO wants students to be more involved and to care about how the government that represents them is being handled. Haaga encouraged students to participate and stay informed about ASUO when they can.
“Throughout the year definitely lookout for openings for different senate seats or different finance committee positions,” Haaga said, “because those open up semi-frequently and it’s a good way to get involved.”
ASUO holds weekly public meetings in the EMU Miller room every Wednesday at 7 p.m.. ASUO has some open position including an Elections Work Coordinator they are hoping to fill prior to elections in the Spring. Members all have office hours during the week and for more information on how students can speak to them or how students can become involved the ASUO website has a wealth of information.
Understanding ASUO and why it matters
Miguel Sanchez-Rutledge
November 8, 2016
Kaylee Domzalski
The ASUO, during their Sept. 28 meeting, approved a special request for funding allotment to the Organization Against Sexual Assault. The reason for the request was to implement positions that have historically been a part of the organization and are for student aid. These positions were cut by the Program …
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